Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their interest in Ipswich Town's Liam Delap, with the Gunners bidding to win the race for the centre-forward during this summer's transfer window.
Delap has scored 12 times and registered two assists in 34 Premier League appearances for relegated Ipswich this season, and he will be on the move at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, with a number of clubs competing for his signature.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton and Newcastle United are among the teams to be linked with the 22-year-old, who can leave Ipswich for £30m this summer due to a relegation release clause in his contract.
According to FootballTransfers, Arsenal are also firmly in the race for Delap, and the Gunners have now made an offer to the striker's representatives in the hope of securing a deal ahead of the opening of the transfer window.
The report claims that the Gunners want Delap to join alongside 'a more experienced and proven option', meaning that the forward would have to accept starting the campaign as the back-up striker.
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Arsenal 'step up interest' in Ipswich striker Delap
Arsenal are allegedly keen to bring in Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon as their new number nine, with Delap viewed as the ideal player to support the Sweden international in the final third of the field.
The Gunners have allegedly been hugely impressed with Delap's performances for a struggling Ipswich outfit, and an offer has now been made to the striker's representatives.
Mikel Arteta's side are said to be willing to meet Delap's wage demands but have made it clear that he would be joining as a back-up option.
Arsenal's involvement in four competitions should mean that there is still plenty of action for Delap, but it remains to be seen if he is prepared to accept the role when he is likely to be offered a starting spot elsewhere.
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Will Arsenal win the race for Gyokeres?
Gyokeres is having a quite extraordinary season for Sporting, scoring 52 goals and registering 12 assists in 49 appearances in all competitions, and he is widely expected to be on the move this summer.
The Sweden international has a release clause in the region of £85m, but it is understood that he may leave for £55m this summer due to a gentleman's agreement with his Lisbon club.
Man United, Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid are also said to be in the hunt for the ex-Coventry City striker, so Arsenal will face huge competition for his signature during the summer market.
Arsenal cannot afford to get their forward signing wrong this summer, as there is so much riding on next season, and it would be a huge statement of intent if they were able to get a deal for goal machine Gyokeres over the line.
Matt Law
